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The Shut Up singer, who went to school with LMFAO's Redfoo, added: 'We were the only black family in our Mexican neighbourhood,'

Smart dresser: Eccentric Will always looks completely unique in the way he dresses, which he says stems from his younger years when deliberately tried to make himself look different from gang members

The rapper also revealed that there were many gangs where they lived and said that many of his friends were 'dead, in prison, on drugs or selling drugs'.

But it was his mother's tough love that meant he never strayed into bad habits and instead wore loud clothes to make sure he stood out away from the gangs.

Debra added: 'I used to protect Willy. I used to keep him inside.'

Superstars: will.i.am made his fortune as part of Black Eyed Peas alongside Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap

Will, who is currently starring on The Voice as a judge alongside Kylie Minogue, Joel Madden, Ricky Martin, made sure he repaid the favour by purchasing a huge house for her with a pay cheque from a Dr Pepper commercial.

Despite his fame and fortune The Voice coach last week Tweeted about how he was asked to leave United Airlines' Global First Lounge after staff said his membership card was fake.

He wrote: '#unitedAIRLINES is the worse. I'm a member & I have my card to prove it. but they tell me my card is fake & kick me out the lounge #ouch.'

Old school mates: Will went to school with LMFAO's Redfoo and says the big haired star was one of the better behaved pupils at his school